Details of Events

Twenty two people from seven different denominations gathered on Saturday 8 July 2017 at St John the Baptist Parish Centre, Plympton, for an Ecumenical Learning Event of SA Council of Churches.Following prayer and hospitality, participants listened as four invited Responders, and then others, described the gift they received from asking an ecumenical other (or, as one person described them, an unknown relative): what might my Church have to learn from your Church about welcoming newcomers, nurturing hospitality, nourishing an active congregation? Each reflected that they had heard and been inspired by gestures ranging from how to assist people to ‘belong’ in a congregation (eg Lord’s prayer in 50+ languages, dessert night for conversations on faith), to ministry with people that others had ‘given up on’. The gift resided in the recognition that such gestures were perhaps currently invisible or obscured within their own church community. Some characteristics from the examples they heard included:• Gritty tenacity • Intentional • Reading the local neighbourhood• A welcoming demeanour • Authentic hospitality• Detachment/attachment to place/material items. Includes, for example, abstention from alcohol may inspire/encourage those for whom alcohol is a problem• A tough love expressed as availability and presence, enduring and joyful commitment. • Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2Other reflections and insights from the day welcomed. Geraldine Hawkes, Ecumenical Facilitator, for SACC Community for Ecumenical Learning

June 1947: formation of ecumenical council in SA – local celebrations?

On 16 February 2017, during the Ecumenical Service at St Peter’s Cathedral to mark the beginning of the 2017 State Parliamentary Year, Leaders of Christian Churches SA presented each Parliamentarian with a book-gift, with the following greeting:

Dear Parliamentarian, As a new Parliamentary year commences, I assure you of the prayerful support of Leaders of Christian Churches SA for you and your colleagues.Through your service to the people of South Australia, may you continue to be attentive to wherever there is a need for healing in our world, and so be channels of God’s grace, peace and justice in all you are and in all you do.Rev Mike Mills, Chairperson, Leaders of Christian Churches SA

Brief News & Reflections

On Friday 14 October 2016, around 80 people gathered with the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, World Council of Churches, local and national church/ecumenical leaders, at St Mary and Anba Bishoy Coptic Orthodox Church, 18 Goldfinch Ave, Cowandilla.

[Enlarge Picture]Aspects of our life together included presentations and conversations on The Truth We Owe Each Other: Mutual Accountability in the Ecumenical Movement [Olav Fykse Tveit]; Young people: gathering for shared ecumenical experience; Day of prayer and fasting; Women's role in the church; Role of scripture.

More soon. Meantime, SACC invites you to send through your own reflections from the day to sacc@picknowl.com.au

9th Forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia [NCCA] – a few snippets

The NCCA 9th Triennial Forum was held in Sydney from 24-27 June 2016. The NCCA is 19 Christian Churches, gathered from across Australia, who have embarked on a pilgrimage together. Each brings a widely varied history of place, experience, and theology, yet share a common faith and confession in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. They also share a common future, convinced that the future of Christians in Australia lies together, not in separation.

Other South Australians present at some or all of the Forum included Ms Jo Jordan Quakers], Bishop John Henderson and Pastor Neville Otto [Lutheran], Rev Dr Andrew Dutney [Uniting], and Ms Jill Gallio, President, and Ms Geraldine Hawkes, Ecumenical Facilitator, who represented SA Council of Churches.

We will share more news from the Forum next week.Rev Dr Jane Lee-Barker, a member of SACC Community for Local Ecumenism, shared news from NCCA Faith and Unity Commission, of which she is also a member, appointed by the Anglican Church. The Member Churches installed and welcomed a new President, The Rt Revd Philip Huggins [Anglican]. Rev’d Dr Mike Semmler [Lutheran, from South Australia] stepped down, having served as President for the past three years.